Reopening of 'Aladdin' on Broadway halted by COVID-19 cases

Posted September 30, 2021 7:00 am

By MARK KENNEDY

The marquee of the New Amsterdam theater appears in New York, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. The hit Broadway show "Aladdin" was canceled Wednesday night when breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musical's company, a day after the show reopened, a worrying sign for Broadway. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - The hit Broadway show 'œAladdin'ť was canceled Wednesday night when breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musical's company, a day after the show reopened following some 18 months of being shuttered due to the pandemic. It was a worrying sign for Broadway's recovery.

"Through our rigorous testing protocols, breakthrough COVID-19 cases have been detected within the company of '~Aladdin' at the New Amsterdam Theatre,'ť the show announced on social media. 'œBecause the wellness and safety of our guests, cast and crew are our top priority, tonight's performance, Wednesday, Sept. 29 , is canceled.'ť

It was the first Broadway COVID-19 cancellation since shows resumed with Bruce Springsteen's concert returning in July and 'œPass Over'ť as the first play to debut in August. 'œAladdin'ť said the status of future performances 'œwill be updated.'ť

The pandemic forced Broadway theaters to abruptly close on March 12, 2020, knocking out all shows and scrambling the spring season. Several have restarted, including the so-called big three of 'œWicked,'ť 'œHamilton'ť and 'œThe Lion King.'ť

A television crew interviews the first people in line to buy discounted Broadway show tickets at TKTS, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, in New York's Times Square. A recurring debate among theater lovers has been what event constitutes the proper mark of Broadway's return after the global pandemic. For the producers of three powerhouse shows - "The Lion King," "Hamilton" and "Wicked" - the answer is Tuesday, when the anchors of modern Broadway's success rev their engines again. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

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